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Saw a Yamaha Gf-140 at Good will today they are asking $150 US. If anyone has an opinion about this guitar let me know. Best I can tell they are good, made in Japan guitars made in early 70's. But I don't know much about acoustics. What are some things to look for, problems-wise, with used acoustic guitars? I can probably see the obvious stuff. Also it looks like some kid did his ABC's homework on the top of the guitar, the pencil indentations are compressed into the top. This does not bother me, and thinks it kind of cool in a way. Not sure if you can bargain with Good Will or even if that is in good form to do.

I used to own a tuxedo lefty FG-150. I pawned it for food, wish I had gone hungry.

I have a 70s FG201 with neck bow that gives it sky-high action, awaiting TLC. My brother's ex-girlfriend brought it over from Japan. It sounds great just strumming first position chords.

i have a yamaha fg acoustic, 70's 12 string, i love playing it. they are decent guitars once you set them up.

Thanks for the replies. I am going back to look at it again and give it a good once over.

So I went back to look at and maybe get the guitar. I was not behind the counter anymore. So I figured I would take a lap around the store to see if it had been moved. I saw it and started walking to it and a guy (50ish) picks it up and starts walking around with it. I keep an eye on him while my wife is looking around. 15 minutes later and he still has it so we go to check out with our one item. Well there is a line of around 20 people to check out and the guy with the guitar gets in line two back from us. He starts talking to a different woman in line about what a great find this guitar was and he was getting it for a friend who may want it for his cabin etc. but the guy hasn't called back if he wants it but he would get it anyway just because they googled it and it was going for 4-500 on ebay. My wife chuckles to this guy that we came in to probably get the guitar but he picked it up before I could find it. He is like, oh yea here you go, I really don't need another guitar. He gives it to me and takes off.

I go to a chair to give it a little once over to look for damage and problems. Looks cool, built in 71 and looks like it was in the closet most of it. The guy comes back and starts chatting about how cool these old red labeled Yamahas are then a silver hair lady comes buy and tells us how her friend, on a hunch got a Martin guitar there a week ago for $150. So this is a cool time at the Good Will.

I decide to get the guitar and am back in the long line again. Then a new woman walks in the store and goes strait to me holding the guitar and says "oh I cam in to buy that guitar" then tells me it's not a very good guitar and GD is asking way too much and it is such a shame they are ripping me off. Says she is a professional guitarist and has 15 guitars and I am getting ripped off. She leaves to look around the store and the young couple in front of me is like "who asked her" and "she is scamming me trying to get me to put it back." Well I had did some research and had a good idea what it was worth. We are about finally to the pay counter and she accosts us again about how I am getting screwed and these student guitars are junk and I could get a much better new one for the same price. This goes on for 3 minutes. She points to the note decals that are still on the guitar after 40 yrs and says "see it is just not any good and she is trying to do me a favor.

Got the guitar and put some new 13's on it and cleaned it up. The action is too high, but I don't think it has over a couple months of play time one it.

good score, and it sounds like you have a good story to go along with it.

lesson here for the crazy lady, if you see something you like in a pawn shop, buy it or it might not be there when you get back

Cur, it is obvious to me that you were ripped off. The only solution is to mail the guitar directly to me. Trust me, I am a professional and a musician (though not at the same time).

The wife and I was just laughing about how great the afternoon was and the guitar already has a story. It was good enough that the guy that had if and knew what it was just gave it to me. But the thrift sore stalker was the cherry on top. The guitar sounds great it is very rich and loud. Good times.

I have the same guitar, on lend to a friend currently. I can vouch that it's a nice player. Mine was my stepmom's since she was in high school, and she gave it to me after I'd started playing. Sounds like you got a great deal! I'd say they sound better than any 150 acoustic you can find new in a shop.

My friend just got one just like that, except a little more beat up, earlier this week at Sam Ash for $100. It sounds great, and has a V shaped neck which I thought was interesting. His also has pretty high action, but he likes it like that. And honestly for $100 - $150 I don't think you could find another acoustic guitar that sounds anywhere near as good as these guitars do.